Kitchen Cart

I had a small empty spot in the kitchen and a great need for more storage so this is the result of a couple weeks of weekend work to fix that. I put casters on the bottom to provide a more functional aspect for rolling to different parts of the kitchen / living room where it might be needed.

First time incorporating tile into a project (also the first time doing grout work). Also the first time doing a two-color aged paint look (with help from my wonderful girlfriend). All in all, two new techniques in my arsenal that I will be using in the future.

I like your cabinet and am sure it will be very functional! There can never be too many counters in the kitchen:) You did a nice job on your first attempt at distress paining, and the only thing I would do differently is to also paint and distress the handle and the top (wood around the tile.) After all, if you think about it, what gets more wear and tear over time than the handle/towel rack or the top? So because the cabinet itself is nicely distressed, the towel rack/handle and the top presents as a mismatch. But believe me, I know how hard it is on the psyche to paint and beat up a nice piece of wood. :)

-- Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

trainwreck – I think it’s something like “cottage yellow”, I’ll check it out and get back to you.

Ben – Finishing went something like this – brown paint, shellac, yellow paint, sand flat areas using finish sander with 180 until lightly distressed, detail sand “worn” areas (like around handles and exposed edges) by hand with 180, clean dust, shellac, laquer. One unexpected benefit was I never knew a painted surface could be so smooth to the touch.

rivergirl – I did the top first, and once I finished the base I quickly realized it was a different style, but I still like them together. I was thinking that before I did any finishing I should have given everything a couple of whacks with a chain or something. I think pallet wood would have worked very well as well, but I had some walnut on hand and have no regrets. Plus, the brown undercoat was supposed to be a sort of painted over walnut look, I don’t think I will be painting true walnut anytime in the near future. I appreciate you input.